Sacristans and Altar Servers. We are putting together our teams of Sacristans and Altar Servers. If you are interested in serving as an Altar Server or Sacristan, please reach out to Mike Dodson. Any confirmed Catholic is invited to be trained as a Sacristan. In addition to Sunday Masses, adult volunteers are trained to assist at funerals and to lead Communion Services. Contact Mike Dodson via phone or email. 443-280- 7435 or mikeandroxanne@msn.com
Blood Drive, Thursday, August 19, 2021, in the Parish Center, hosted by the American Red Cross and the North Harford Interfaith Community. There is a critical need for blood of all types, especially Type O, for patients who are currently undergoing treatment for an illness or experience a medical emergency. The blood supply continues to remain low due to the pandemic, but is especially low during the summer months.
Appointments are now available from 1 to 6 p.m. Anyone who wishes to donate must have an appointment. To schedule a time, you may login on to the Red Cross website and sign up or call Darlene at 410-404-8583 and leave a message.
Thank you in advance for giving and donating blood. Remember, your one unit of blood can give life to up to 3 people.
Offertory Collection Counters Needed! The parish is in need of two (2) counters for the Sunday collection. There are five teams, three counters to a team, counting every fifth week. The counting is done on Monday mornings at 9:00 AM. Must be at least 21 years old, a registered parishioner and Virtus “With” Trained; no other requirements. Please contact Barbara, Ext. 22 – bsadler@stmaryspylesville.org, if you are interested or for more information.
Summer Contributions. Now that summer is officially here, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of you a happy and safe summer. Our parish is dependent on your contributions, especially during vacation season. We, as you, must still pay the utilities, salaries, etc.
If you use parish offertory envelopes and you are away for the weekend, I ask you to please make up your contribution the following weekend.
You can also consider joining WeShare. Your contributions will always be here even if you are away having fun in the sun. The forms can be picked up in the vestibule of the church or call the parish office, Ext. 22.
I wish to extend my sincere thanks for your continued generosity.
Fr. Kunkel
Fr. Kunkel
Faith Formation
Children's FAith Formation (CFF), Pre-K-8TH Grade Registration, Due August 15. Registration forms for the 2021-2022 CFF program were emailed to families. There are also printed registration forms in the back of the church, and links to the information on the parish website. Please complete and return your forms before August 15th.
9TH GRADE HIGH SCHOOL FAITH FORMATION, Registration due August 20 for discounted rate. Registration forms were mailed out on July 6, 2021. Students are encouraged to be enrolled in a Faith Formation class 1 year prior to receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. The forms and finance information have also been uploaded to the Parish website: stmaryspylesville.org.
High School Discounted Rate Requirements:
- Return completed forms to the Parish Office c/o: Rachel Bittner before August 20, 2021
- Be a registered regular contributing Parishioner.
Confirmation Class of 2022. For those incoming 10th Graders who will be eligible to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation Summer of 2022, the first contact letters are mailed. Registration forms will be sent to those eligible to receive later in August. If you are an incoming 10th-grade Catholic home school or private school student and would like to register to prepare for Confirmation, contact: Mrs. Rachel Bittner rbittner@stmaryspylesville.org.
Registration Meeting for 2022 Confirmation Students and Parents. Thursday Sept. 2, 2021, 7 PM in the Youth Room.
Catechists Needed. We are in need of catechists! If you are interested in teaching or acting as a substitute for our program, please call or email:
Karen Dietz. kdietz@stmaryspylesville.orgle.org.
Youth Ministry News
Guppy Gulch Water Park, August 11, 10 AM – 3:30 PM, 95 Guppy Valley Road Delta PA 17314. Reserve your spot by August 4.
For teens 14 and older, bring a friend. Cost is $22 pp. You will have to fill out the online waiver for Guppy Gulch in addition to our Permission form. Pack a lunch and enjoy the day at our local waterpark. Parents drop off and pick up.
If you are interested, contact
Mrs. Rachel Bittner rbittner@stmaryspylesville.org.
Parents if you are Virtus trained with substantial contact we could use some chaperones in and out of the water. $10 if you are a non swimmer, $22 in you get in the water. Let me know if you can help!
Teen Volunteers Ages 14 – 17. As we begin to move forward as things open up we would love to invite our teens to get back into the swing of things and get excited to serve in our Parish. We need you! We need your enthusiasm, your joy, and your talents.
Worthy of the Call Training is for any of our teens who are 14 – 17 years of age and would like to volunteer for a ministry ie: (Altar serving, Sacristan, Lector, Usher, Music Ministry, Faith Formation Classroom Helper, VBS, Boy Scouts, Parish Events and Fundraisers, Outreach and Service Ministries). Teens must complete this training as we would love to have you volunteer in Parish Events and ministries.
Please email Mrs. Rachel: rbittner@stmaryspylesville.org). She will send you the paperwork and set up a training time.
Contact information
Children's Faith Formation (CFF)
Karen Dietz
High School Faith Faith Formation (HSFF) and Youth Ministry
Rachel Bittner
Outreach
Our Daily Bread.
Thanks to everyone who took pans and returned the frozen casseroles to the Parish freezer.
We actually had more casseroles returned than the number of pans that were handed out.
On July 19th, we delivered 16 casseroles and 20 homemade masks to ODB.
The remaining casseroles will be delivered to ODB on our next assigned delivery date (August 2nd).
Our next distribution of casserole pans will be held on September 11-12.
If you have any questions, please contact Bob at crhoopert@zoominternet.net.
The Food Pantry served 10 families in July, 29 people. For the period from July 2020 until June 2021, the food pantry has served an average of 11 families, 33 people per month. Thank you for your generosity to the pantry.
The food pantry will be open on Saturday, August 21, from 10 am until 11:30.
We are always in need of volunteers for the Food Pantry. If you are interested, please contact Sue Pardo (parfrm1@verizon.net). It only requires a few hours several Saturdays a year. Volunteers must be Virtus trained.
Respect Life
Thank you for your generous support of the BirthRight Baby Shower.
Eighth and Ninth Months (size: about 18 inches) Don’t let up on your prayers for your personal “Little One.” He/she is still in danger of abortion during these last weeks of his/her pre-born life!
Let’s PRAY: Each week, we pray for a group of elected officials without including titles, states or party affiliation so we remember they are our brothers and sisters, children of God, sinners like us. This week, add these names to your prayers: Antonio Delgado, Brian Fitzpatrick, Doug LaMalfa, Clay Higgins, Donald Sternoff Beyer Jr., Dan Newhouse, Hal Rogers, Maxine Waters, John A. Yarmuth, Russ Fulcher, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Greg Pence, Sylvia Garcia, Robert C. Scott, Tim Burchett, Sanford Bishop Jr., Gwen Moore, Alma Adams and Annie Kuster. Add also your local and state representatives. Pray they will submit to God’s holy will.
Save the Date: The LifeChain returns to Jarrettsville on Sunday, October 3.
Congress is considering the fate of the Hyde Amendment. Eliminating this language and similar provisions would force taxpayers to pay for elective abortions and force health care providers and professionals to perform and refer for abortion against their deeply-held beliefs. It also forces employers and insurers to cover and pay for abortion.
We have elected officials who regularly propose laws that promote and fund abortion. This needs to end. For the sake of our unborn brothers and sisters and for the sake of the souls of those we elect, our lawmakers need to hear from us. Take action now and call, email and/or write to your Senators and Representatives to respectfully express your opposition to abortion and support for the right to life for our unborn citizens.
News from the Archdiocese of Baltimore
Archdiocesan Mental Wellness Initiative. In response to the growing need to provide support to parishioners and parish and school staff who are suffering from the emotional impact of the pandemic, the Archdiocese has launched a mental wellness initiative to encourage those in our community to reach out for help if they or a loved one are struggling. Among the efforts included in the initiative, a workgroup of mental health professionals and archdiocesan staff have compiled general resources and a variety of provider listings to assist individuals, couples and families in finding the help they may need at www.archbalt.org/help-is-here.
As Archbishop Lori stated in a recent communication, “It is so important to make the space in our lives to fully comprehend the issues we may be suffering from, such as depression, unresolved grief, isolation, marital pressures, substance misuse, or simply the unaccustomed stress of living in such close quarters and coping with balancing working and schooling children at home. It is critical to get the help we need before we are in crisis.”
Saint Joseph Summit - a virtual 72-hour conference featuring presentations themed to St. Joseph by bishops, priests and prominent lay Catholic evangelists September 30 – October 3, 2021. Presenters include Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Cardinal Sean O’Malley, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, Archbishop Joseph Naumann and Auxiliary Bishops Tim Freyer and Thomas Nguyen. For more information visit: Saint Joseph Summit - Homepage (spiritfilledevents.com)
‘Traditionis Custodes’ – Please see Archbishop’s statement below concerning Pope Francis’ Traditions Custodes and changes regarding the celebration of Holy Mass in Latin according to the Roman Missal of 1962. For Pope Francis’ memo please see Apostolic Letter issued “Motu proprio” by the Supreme Pontiff Francis “Traditionis custodes”
Prayer, Sacraments, Events and Contact Information
Weddings and Funerals
Masses for weddings and funerals are arranged through the parish office. Contact the parish staff for further guidance.
Public Events and Activities
The parish buildings are beginning to re-open to the public. Religious services, faith formation and parish ministries are meeting in our buildings. A schedule of public events and parish activities is being developed.
Sacraments
- Contact the Parish Office to arrange for Baptisms and the Sacrament of the Sick (Anointing).
- The Sacrament of the Sick for in-patients is available through the hospital chaplains.
Volunteering for the Parish
Volunteers are the backbone of the parish and we welcome new volunteers with open arms. However, in the world today we must do everything we can to protect all people of all ages, the church and also yourself.
If you are ready and willing to give of your time and talent to be a part of one or more of our many ministries, please contact Barbara Sadler, Extension 22 or bsadler@stmaryspylesville.org for the information and guidance of the required Virtus training. The training will provide insight for the protection of all age groups and the responsibilities. DON’T WORRY!! It is an easy procedure.
Contact Information
Parish Office: 410 879-4015
410 838-7471
410 452-5166
www.stmaryspylesville.org
1021 St. Mary's Road
Pylesville, MD 21132
Email Addresses for Parish Staff
Pastor, Fr. Henry Kunkel hkunkel@stmaryspylesville.org
Administrative Assistant, Diana Weidner
dweidner@stmaryspylesville.org
Business Manager, Barbara Sadler
bsadler@stmaryspylesville.org
Coordinator of Religious Education, Karen Dietz kdietz@stmaryspylesville.org
Youth Ministry/Confirmation and Contemporary Music Coordinator Rachel Bittner rbittner@stmaryspylesville.org
Maintenance Larry Glos lglos@stmaryspylesville.org
Flocknote
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Submission Deadline: Thursday 12 Noon